Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi | I. B. 1. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.135 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 46A GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Alfred Archibald smith was born on 17th October 1889, the first son of Thomas Alfred Smith (of A S Smith & Sons, brass, iron and nickel founders) and his wife, Sophy. They lived at 64, Highgate Rd., Walsall, Staffordshire.His younger brother, Thomas Sidney, ([B] 1908-1911) shot for England and won the King's Prize in 1939.
Education & Career :
He was educated at Yarlet Hall, Stafford, before coming to Charterhouse. Here, he was Head of the School, Head Monitor of Bodeites, and a Senior Scholar. In 1908 he was runner up in Elwyn prize for encouragement of Modern History. He was a member of both the Fives and Debating committees.
After Charterhouse he went to University College London before joining his father in business in the family firm Messrs. A S. Smith and Sons.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment |
1/5th Battalion August 1914 : in Walsall. Part of Staffordshire Brigade in North Midland Division. Moved to Luton area and in November 1914 went on to Bishops Stortford. Landed at Le Havre 3 March 1915. 12 May 1915 : formation became the 137th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division. January 1916 : moved to Egypt, returning to France next month. |
| Action : Actions in Spring 1916 |
Actions in Spring 1916 covers a number of non specific actions on the Western Front in the period February to the end of June 1916. Much of this period concerned the build up to the Battle of the Somme, particularly the acclimatisation of the Service Battalions (Kitchener Volunteers) to trench routine. As the Battle of the Somme occupied the plans for 1916 no significant efforts were made in other sectors. Many of the casualties could be considered 'routine'. During the period December to June 1916 5845 British soldiers died in 'minor trench operations'.
Detail :
Staffordshire Advertiser 15 April 1916 "ROLL OF HONOUR stated that:
"Mr. T.A. Smith, J.P., of Walsall, has received news that his elder son, Lieut. Alfred Archibald Smith, South Staffordshire Regiment, was killed in action last week. Lieut. Smith was well known in the town, and much sympathy is felt with the bereaved parents.
It is reported that Lieut. Smith was struck on the head with a bullet and killed instantly."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Charterhouse Deo Dante Dedi No. 2885 E.C. | London |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
20th December 1911 | 20th March 1911 | 15th May 1911 |
On 20th December 1911 he was initiated into the Freemasonry as a member of the Charterhouse Deo Dante Dedi Lodge.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley